How to Care for an American Pit Bull Terrier

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2 height=27>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]How to Care for an American Pit Bull Terrier

</B>[/size][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]The American pit bull terrier is friendly and eager to please by nature. Though it is known for its aggression with other dogs , the pit bull is generally very gentle with humans. Be prepared to spend a lot of time socializing your dog to be with people and other animals. Any signs of aggression toward people should be dealt with immediately by a professional trainer. [/size][/font]</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=3>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1][/size][/font]</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD> </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1] [/size][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]1. [/size][/font] </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Vaccinate your American pit bull terrier when you first get him, and see that he gets yearly booster vaccinations to maintain his immunity to disease. Consult your veterinarian about flea control products and worming your dog. [/size][/font][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]2. [/size][/font] </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Feed your American pit bull terrier high-grade dog food. The first ingredient should be meat if you want a quality product. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent and crude fat no less than 20 percent. The fiber content needs to be 4 percent or less. [/size][/font][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]3. [/size][/font] </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Socialize your pit bull when he's young to be with people and other animals. Establish your authority over your dog and be sure to take him to public areas, giving strangers the opportunity to pet and play with him. This will help the dog develop an even temper. [/size][/font][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]4. [/size][/font] </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Start obedience training early. Because this is a dominant breed, it's important to be able to control your pit bull by voice alone. Positive reinforcement will go further than physical, as this breed is eager to please. [/size][/font][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]5. [/size][/font] </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Give your pit bull vigorous exercise for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes a day. This is an active breed, and the dog will require much activity. Keep him on leash when out in public to avoid fighting with other dogs. [/size][/font][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]6. [/size][/font] </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Brush your dog's coat daily with a firm-bristle brush. Shampoo as needed. American pit bull terriers are medium shedders. [/size][/font][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]7. [/size][/font] </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Understand that American pit bull terriers are prone to certain health conditions such as cataracts (cloudy eye lens) and hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint). [/size][/font][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]8. [/size][/font] </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Expect male and female American pit bull terriers to grow to 18 to 22 inches and weigh between 30 and 80 lbs. [/size][/font][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]9. [/size][/font] </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Know that the American pit bull terrier will live about 12 years. [/size][/font][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD> </TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Tips: [/size][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD></TD><TD colSpan=2>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Early socialization with other animals will help minimize a pit bull's aggressive tendencies but is no guarantee. [/size][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD></TD><TD colSpan=2>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]This breed does better in warmer climates[/size][/font]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

Another very good article.
Some things I would be careful with:

" Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent and crude fat no less than 20 percent. The fiber content needs to be 4 percent or less. "

This is good for growing, and active dogs, but for older dogs perhaps not.
Try to get a good history from the breeder on your dogs "line".
Some families are prone to kidney and liver problems around the 6yr and over mark.
I recommend at that age that IF any of those problems run in your line that you get a
check up every 6 months if the dog is used for brood or stud !
Or even a beloved pet...they may be ready for a special diet.

THESE 2 GO TOGETHER:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]7. [/size][/font]</TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Understand that American pit bull terriers are prone to certain health conditions such as cataracts (cloudy eye lens) and hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint). [/size][/font]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top align=right>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]8. [/size][/font]</TD><TD>[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Expect male and female American pit bull terriers to grow to 18 to 22 inches and weigh between 30 and 80 lbs. a true, gamebred pitbull rarely gets much over 50pounds, but we are getting some bigger dogs these days...the gamebred dogs RARELY get hip dysplasia...that is the staffs, mix or Whopper dogs and they DO get hip dysplasia at an alarming rate.[/size][/font]
Now...before anyone gets their panties in an uproar... I am not saying the Whopper dogs are not pitbulls, they are simply not gamebred (the old fashioned pitbull)
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APBTADBA...you are giving out some well needed advice !
Keep up the good work !